Police fear body found in Cumbrian quarry belongs to missing Gorgie woman

LAST SIGHTING: Betty Brown caught by CCTV on a Lothian bus before disappearance

Human remains were found near Carlisle and, while they have not been formally identified, officers suspect they are those of the 55-year-old, who has been missing for seven months.

Police said it was too early to tell how she died, or whether her death was suspicious.

The mother-of-three's distraught family have been informed of the discovery.

Mrs Brown, from Gorgie, vanished without a trace after leaving home on May 28 last year.

Earlier this week, a dog walker spotted the remains in the quarry in the Longtown area of Cumbria, five miles from Gretna, where Mrs Brown's daughter Sarah lives.

Lothian police are now working with their counterparts in Cumbria to investigate the tragedy.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police can confirm they are currently liasing with Cumbria Constabulary following the discovery of human remains near Longtown, Carlisle.

"Inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further until a formal identification of the remains has been made."

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Ashton of Cumbria Police said a post-mortem would be carried out on the remains on Monday which should ascertain the identity and possibly the cause of death.

He added that items found on the scene suggested the body might be that of Betty Brown.

Ms Brown, who worked at a city care home, is originally from Hawick and was occasionally known by the surname Hunt. Her disappearance was said to be out of character, and concerns grew as her bank cards and mobile phone remained unused.

Barry Thompson made the discovery while walking his dog, Millie, near High Gaitle Caravan Park.

"At first I thought it was a swan's wing and then maybe sheep but, as I got closer, I realised it was a skeleton.

"It was lying on the surface in a disused gravel quarry - it wasn't buried but I didn't hang about once I knew what it was.

"I rang the police and the Ministry of Defence police to let them know what I'd found."

Cumbria police said they were keeping an open mind on the cause of death.

A spokesman said: "Specially trained officers conducted searches of the area and began anthropological and forensic examinations of the remains to discover the identity of the deceased.

"As a result of this activity we have been liaising with Lothian and Borders Police to discover whether the body is that of a long-term missing person from their area.

"55-year-old Elizabeth Brown was reported missing from her home in Edinburgh on June 1, 2010.

"Mrs Brown's family have been informed of the discovery and a potential link."Timeline of a disappearance

May 28: Betty was last seen getting off a No 3 bus on Nicolson Street.

August 20: Police begin searching beauty spots in Edinburgh she was known to visit.

August 24: Her daughter, Sarah Smith, reveals she is pregnant and wants her mother to meet her new grandchild.

September 2: Police think they have her on CCTV in Stockbridge, but that is later ruled out.

November 10: New plea from family for information about Betty, timed to coincide with her 56th birthday.

January 18: Officers in Cumbria find skeleton in a quarry, fearing it had been there for up to six months.

January 21: Police confirm they suspect the remains are those of Ms Brown.